5 MLB Contenders Who Could Trade for Brian Duensing as a Lefty Specialist

The Minnesota Twins' Brian Duensing has become known as a "lefty specialist" for incredible effectiveness in key situations against lefties. As the midpoint of the the 2012 MLB season approaches, several teams should be looking to add Duensing to their roster.

Some of these teams are .500 clubs with poor pitching against left-handed batting. Others have beat-up pitching staffs that simply need to add a reliable LHP to their bullpen.

Whatever the case, Duensing's numbers could entice teams to pick him up this midseason. Currently, Duensing has an incredible .157 BAA against lefties with a modest 4.91 ERA (an overall ERA of 3.12 ERA).

This article takes a look at teams that are in desperate need of LHPers who are consistently strong against left-handed batters.

Colorado Rockies

So far this year, the 24-42 Colorado Rockies have the worst pitching staff versus left-handed batters in MLB. Currently, Rockies pitchers have allowed a league worse .308 BAA and a 5.35 ERA against lefties.

What if the Rockies had the lefty specialist, Brian Duensing? If the Rockies had Duensing in their bullpen instead of Guillermo Moscoso, they would theoretically have a .295 BAA and 5.09 ERA against lefties.

Theoretical or not, Brian Duensing would help repair the destroyed pitching staff in Colorado. Not to mention, Duensing's talents could help mend a broken season.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The near-.500 Arizona Diamondbacks are a team who in need of a jump start to their pitching.

Currently, the D-Backs' pitching staff is the 10th best against right-handed batter, but is the fifth worst against left-handed batters. A pitching staff with a 4.47 ERA and .281 BAA against lefties is does not help a team get past .500.

Hypothetically speaking, if the D-Backs had Duensing in their bullpen instead of Josh Collmenter this far in 2012, Arizona would instead have a .269 BAA and 4.34 ERA against lefties. Not a complete turnaround, but a 12-point reduction in BAA and a .13 lower ERA is a step in the right direction.

Over the course of a season, such subtle improvements could translate as 25 fewer runs allowed and 70 fewer hits allowed. A needed spark? Yes.

Houston Astros

Like the Rockies, the Houston Astros find themselves well below .500 and poor against left-handed batting. The Astros pitching staff is the fourth worst against left-handed batters and only slightly better against right-handed batters.

Currently, Astros pitchers hold a 4.64 ERA and .277 BAA against lefties. Once again, hypothetically speaking, if the Astros had Duensing in their bullpen instead of Jordan Lyles this season, Houston would have a .266 BAA and 4.56 ERA against lefties.

Through a full season, an 11-point improvement on BAA means 84 fewer hits allowed and .08 lower ERA means 12 fewer runs allowed—a notable impact for adding one pitcher. Duensing might be their guy.

Detroit Tigers

Like Arizona, Detroit finds themselves just below .500 and just out of a playoff spot. Unlike Arizona, Detroit is not horrible again lefties, but more ranked in the lower middle. Despite only having three left-handed pitchers currently on staff, the Tigers have fared okay against lefties.

Currently, Tigers pitchers have a 4.02 ERA and .275 BAA against left handed batters.

As a LHP who is rightfully a lefty specialist, Duensing would be a welcomed addition to Detroit's bullpen. If Detroit had Duensing this whole season instead of Jacob Turner, Adam Wilk, and Luke Putkonen, the entire pitching staff's ERA against lefties would be 3.96 and BAA .264.

Once again, not an extreme change. Subtle yet effective.

New York Mets

As of June 22, 2012, the New York Mets are just three games behind the Washington Nationals in the race for the NL East.

What separates the Nationals from the Mets is pitching against left-handed batting. While Washington's pitchers hold a 2.98 ERA and .222 BAA, New York's have a 4.37 ERA and .267 BAA.

Brian Duensing might be the answer that the Mets' conundrum. In a theoretical replacement of statistics, between the Mets' Manny Acosta for Brian Duensing, the Mets' numbers against lefty batters would improve. If Duensing's stats replaced Acosta's, the Mets would improve to a 4.05 ERA and .258 BAA against lefties.

The Mets also only have three left handed pitchers in their staff.